Japanese Vintage Satsuma Pottery Vase signed Gyokuzan 玉山

This Japanese antique Satsuma pottery vase is signed Gyokuzan 玉山. In the old days, he was also known as Chin Jukan XII, Also as Yùshān 玉山, of the Meiji period, 1868-1912. There is currently some debate as to the age of this piece, so we will call it vintage for now, It possibly is as new as mid-cemtury use of the Gyokuzan mark by Toshida. It is handmade in the form of a basket moon vase. On a gorgeous cream colored background, it features high-relief decoration with enamel glaze design and raised images of sparrows prancing on the ground surrounded by flowers. It is held by four gold legs. It is signed with the gold on red cartouche as one the marks of Gyokuzan which can be seen on the Gotheborg website.

It is in pristine condition, no cracks or chips. Please see the pictures and ask any questions. We are non-house smokers and do not smoke around our wares and our very careful with them to have clean hands and in the packing. We are careful to check incoming items for any unusual smells. Again please let us know if you have any questions. This is a purchase from a collector in the U.S.

Satsuma ware 薩摩焼 satsuma yaki is a style of Japanese earthenware originally from the Satsuma region of what is today southern Kyūshū. Today, it can be divided into two distinct categories: the original plain dark clay early Satsuma ko satsuma 古薩摩 made in Satsuma from around 1600, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and is still produced today. Most of the old pieces we see today are classified as Kyoto Satsuma and fall under the Kyoto Awata category. Although the term can be used to describe a variety of types of pottery, the best-known type of Satsuma ware has a soft, ivory-colored, crackled glaze with elaborate polychrome and gold decorations. Satsuma ware originated when the Shimazu of the Satsuma domain in southern Kyūshū relocated skilled Korean potters after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Japanese Invasions of Korea to establish a local pottery industry.

Later, after display at an international exhibition in Paris in 1867, it proved popular as an export to Europe. the elaborately decorated export Satsuma 京薩摩 kyō satsuma ivory-bodied pieces which began to be produced in the nineteenth century in various Japanese cities. By adapting their gilded polychromatic enamel overglaze designs to appeal to the tastes of western consumers, manufacturers of the latter made Satsuma ware one of the most recognized and profitable export products of the Meiji period.

Please see the extensive and well-written discussion on the Gotheborg site about Satsuma old history, Awata Kyoto Satsuma, and more. It is very enlightening.

Old History of the Old Gyokuzan
Several Chin Jukan XII or Gyokuzan pieces are in the holdings of the Museum of the Imperial Collections in Tokyo. His pieces are also in the permanent collection of the Tokyo National Museum. The Chin Jukan kiln is the only kiln in Miyama, Japan run by descendants of the original Korean potters brought to the Kagoshima area in September 1597. Chin Jukan XII or Gyokuzan is widely credited for making Satsuma internationally famous. In 2014, a large Gyokuzan decorated with Geishas sold for $3,500 on Live Autioneers. Previous to that a kogo or small box sold for $2179 on Christies. According to the Gotheborg site for most of the Satsuma 'Zan brothers' nothing is known, in spite of very good quality work and many good studio pieces are simply unmarked.

Item ID:A2007

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